The regulations regarding piercing vary from state to state, so it is important to be careful and find professionals who are prepared to answer any and all questions. They should use fresh needles each time, and sterilize all the needles and instruments in an autoclave. The autoclave uses extreme heat to disinfect the device to avoid serious infections such as HIV or hepatitis. Also, make sure they use the right metal, such as surgical grade stainless steel. Some people have an allergic reaction to certain metals, which leads to more complications.
